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This is the shocking footage of a drink-driver going the wrong way down a stretch of the M4 in Reading.

The footage has been released by Thames Valley Police after a man was convicted of dangerous driving and driving over the alcohol limit.

Lee Johnson, aged 44, of Colman Road, London, drink-drove the wrong way down the westbound carriageway of the M4 on Saturday night in a red Citroen Berlingo.

He was arrested at the scene and later admitted the charges, and a charge of driving without insurance, at Reading Magistrates’ Court on Monday.

He will be sentenced in the new year.

This must have been a frightening sight for motorists joining the motorway (Image: Thames Valley Police)

Senior investigating officer, Gaz Doughty of the Roads Policing Unit based at Three Mile Cross, said: “Thames Valley Police received multiple reports of a vehicle travelling the wrong way along the motorway between junctions 11 to 12 at about 11.30pm on Saturday.

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The car heading the wrong way down the westbound carriageway towards Reading Services on the M4 (Image: Thames Valley Police)

“Moment later, the vehicle was sighted by the officers heading straight for them.

The police car approaches the red van (Image: Thames Valley Police)

"Despite the obvious risks to themselves and potential for sustaining injuries, the officers made a fast time decision to make deliberate contact with the suspect car to bring it to a halt and thereby prevent it getting past them and head on into members of the public.

The moment of impact (Image: Thames Valley Police)

“The driver, Lee Johnson, was arrested at the scene on suspicion of dangerous driving.

The van comes to a stop against the crash barrier (Image: Thames Valley Police)

"He was later found to be almost four times over the prescribed drink drive limit, at a level of 120 micrograms of alcohol per 100 milliliters of breath.

“At the first court hearing, Johnson pleaded guilty to all offences and will be sentenced in due course.

The driver is arrested (Image: Thames Valley Police)

“Thankfully, due to the swift police response, no-one was injured during this incident, but unfortunately far too often we see the death and destruction caused by drug and drink-driving.

“Such behaviour on our roads has far-reaching effects, not just for the impaired driver but for any innocent road users affected by their destructive decisions.